Abstract
Medicaid work necessities stay a key coverage of curiosity, with waiver approvals of such necessities earlier than the Supreme Courtroom and the Biden Administration prone to reverse this Trump Administration coverage. Moreover, the coronavirus pandemic and financial downturn have well being and financial implications for working and non-working Medicaid adults. To offer context to the present panorama of Medicaid and work, this temporary explores work standing and traits of Medicaid enrollees in addition to views from enrollees who participated in focus teams in three cities (Cleveland, Detroit, and Milwaukee) previous to the pandemic. Key findings embrace the next:
- Previous to the pandemic, most Medicaid adults who didn’t face a barrier to work had been working. Adults who work full-time should be eligible for Medicaid in growth states as a result of they work low-wage jobs and nonetheless meet earnings eligibility standards, however these in non-expansion states are much less prone to be eligible.
- Many Medicaid adults who had been working or confronted challenges to work had been possible affected by COVID-related job or earnings loss. The pandemic has possible exacerbated present challenges to work reported by Medicaid enrollees. Those that weren’t working earlier than the pandemic are unlikely to have moved into employment throughout the downturn, notably as a result of many face boundaries to work resembling useful incapacity. On account of job loss or decreased hours, many staff might have had their earnings or monetary safety worsened by the pandemic.
- Individuals who stay eligible might lose Medicaid protection on account of work and reporting necessities. Lack of protection might have unfavourable implications for an individual’s potential to work and also can enhance uncompensated look after suppliers. Medicaid enrollees face an array of boundaries to complying with work and reporting necessities. As well as, analysis finds that work necessities might not end in elevated employment or employer-based well being protection.
Wanting forward, key points to observe embrace the continued results of the pandemic and financial downturn on Medicaid and work, coverage actions below the Biden Administration round work necessities, and the Supreme Courtroom case.